Wishful Thinking (West Coast)

I am in the process of looking for a new press. It is time to expand around here. This is one I am close to purchasing, and if all goes smoothly, I will have this baby in my shop sometime next month. Just need to do a bit of coordinating.

I have been struggling with my current press for a while. I think I want it to do more than it is capable of doing. I love it, and it has served me well. But it is time for a bigger machine. I am looking at a 8 x 12 C & P floor model. I think that is a good size for what I want to do, and it will fit into my shop area without feeling cramped. I have been working hard these past few months making space for my workshop in our small garage. I have a nice area carved out, and will probably add a few more improvements before my new press moves in. I am really excited though! This will make my printing life go much smoother!

Pride (Midwest)

Today I am proud.

Happy New Year (West Coast)

It has been a whirlwind of a Holiday Season around hear. My first holiday season as a card printer. I wasn't expecting the rush of sales, and was pleasantly surprised with how much traffic our Etsy sites got. Fun stuff! Between that and my graphic design workload, I don't think I have blogged since November. Time goes quickly.

After a full month away from my press, I am dusting it off and printing today. My plate is on, and the impression is lined up. I thought I would start with some reprints of cards I am low on for letterpress inspiration. Then as the week goes on start to work out some new designs. I have a few ideas, but haven't gotten them down on paper yet.



Pictures from our California winter holiday in Yosemite! Lots of snow! We spent a few days up there right after our big winter storm, it was beautiful and cold!

2009 Awaits (Midwest)

Well, we have about 16 more hours of Christmas vacation. I haven't posted over break so I will line list some of the highlights...

•The rats climbed up the Christmas tree. Tree sap + rat fur = not good.
•I had two cosmos in one evening and wasn't even buzzed. This is remarkable. Trust me.
•I was on my letterpress once for a quick print job.
•Indoor soccer, bowling, and inflatable bouncing sessions were all achieved.
•I had a fun, paid (!) photography gig as a second shooter at a wedding.
•One of us caught a stomach flu and at this point we don't know how many others were exposed.
•Sam cut most of his left eyelashes off.
•We have had 3 family game nights with charades being the most popular game.
•I ate 9 pieces of chocolate fudge on Christmas Eve.
•We had at least one day were we never got out of our pjs.
•We sledded. And, sledded. And, sledded again.
•Hannah became my photo sidekick when she got a digital camera for Christmas.
•Fights happened and were sometimes resolved.

All and all we managed to end break with a trashed house, overtired occupants and an empty fridge. Well done, I must say.

Happy New Year!!!

Almost There (Midwest)

My week has been busy. Trips to the post office = 4. Trips to the mall = 3. Snow shoveled in the driveway = 10 inches. As I sit here and watch another 2-4 inches blanketing the outdoors, I sigh. Christmas is almost here. Hallelujah!





So, on this Christmas Eve day I'd like to wish all of you out there in blogger land a Happy Holiday. May you be warm and surrounded by love. Most of all I wish you all peace. Have a Merry Christmas! - Amy

Thursday (Midwest)

So, yesterday I had a friend come over to chat and learn how to use her Gocco. I hauled out the inks and other crafty stuff and we talked (geeked) out about art, design, crafting, etc. I find myself up early with a head full of ideas about what could be a next project. And, since my desk is clean I'm sketching and thinking. It's a nice way to begin the day. Miss K. thanks for the playdate. I'm so pleased to connect with someone with similar interests. :)

OK. Now I need to gripe about my keyboard. It seems the nine/left parenthesis button has pooched. Argh! I had to go into one of Laurie's posts to copy and paste a parenthesis. And (as you know) I use them all the time. I will try to clean and examine the keyboard today. I have weak McGuyver skills, so I'm fairly confident this will not be fixed. Rats.

I hear kids upstairs. Soon three children and 2 rats will descend and need to be prepared for school so I need to go slam another cup of coffee.

Happy Thursday everyone!

First stop, Anthropologie! (West Coast)

As per tradition out here, I went out shopping with my mom for my birthday. First stop, Anthropologie! My all time favorite store. I like to go there for special occasions and treat my self to something I wouldn't normally buy. Yesterday it was these two items. Both were something I wouldn't normally do, but I know I will enjoy them quite a bit. I love the asian inspired print on this shirt, and the color is truly beautiful in person.



I have always had a thing for aprons, in fact I wear them every night when cooking dinner. They are cute to look at and they help save my clothes from the inevitable spills while cooking. The chocolate brown little owls on this pattern are stylized and really cute. Retro yet modern, and my favorite colors too!

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

I've been thinking about you all day, Laurie. I hope you have a great birthday. Cheers from Wisconsin!

Craftacular (Midwest)

I must write this post quickly as I'm very distracted right now. I'm being lulled by the weather liars on tv. "Come. Come listen to the madness that is the winter weather about to befall you." Ok. They don't talk like that but man o man we are in for some serious weather tonight. Sleet. Snow. More snow. Then wind. Yikes and double yikes.



I had a wonderful day, Saturday, at the Craftacular. We were busy all day. I had a greater number of sales this year, but the total price per sale was lower. So, my sales totals were about the same as last year. One observation. More folks were using their credit cards than last year. I hope for all our sakes that the economy picks up by this time next year.


So, now I am down to small bits of remaining inventory. One koi fish pack, one poppy/twig set, etc. I'm debating whether to reprint or not. I'd like to design something new for the new year. And, there's Valentine's Day after that. Options. Options.

Ok. Off to stalk the weather channel.

That time of year again! (West Coast)

I am into the full swing of the holidays around here. Eggnog's out, tree is up, handmade gifts are being finished up. I think I have just two gifts to finish up, and that should go pretty quickly.

The only thing that is not cooperating with my holiday happiness is the weather. We have had perfectly beautiful California weather. But I am waiting for a winter storm to come through. We have had no real measurable rain, no snow in the Sierra's. It still feels like the ending of summer. It has cooled down quite a bit at night, but our days are sunny and nice. We have a trip planned to go up to the mountains in a few weeks to go sledding, but unless we get a storm to come through, we won't be doing much sledding.



Holiday cards prep area. Holiday Hedgehogs been my big seller this season. I have been selling these cards in our Lucky Bee Press Etsy shop. I have had to do one reprint so far. I hope I printed enough for the rest of the season!